LX Puddle/Courtesy Lights LED strip upgrade

[vman07]

Just for clarification , I bought an 07' LX with the running boards already removed. I do see the connector under the truck near the frame though. Are you saying that when you approach your LX these new LED puddle lights turn on automatically?

My wife's Lexus sedan has this feature in the side mirror. I'm interested in purchasing from you if they turn on automatically, thank u...

 

[screendoor]

Just for clarification , I bought an 07' LX with the running boards already removed. I do see the connector under the truck near the frame though. Are you saying that when you approach your LX these new LED puddle lights turn on automatically?

My wife's Lexus sedan has this feature in the side mirror. I'm interested in purchasing from you if they turn on automatically, thank u...

On my 2001 LX, they turn on when pressing the unlock button on the remote or when exiting the truck. They turn off when pressing the lock button or they automatically turn off after a minute or so. Here is a video showing the Unlock/Lock functionality. I would guess your '07 LX would do the same.

 

[screendoor]

In case you are interested, here is a video showing how I assembled my LED strip for the puddle light.

 

[DanInDenver]

Nice work. Convinced me to give your LED strips a try, Bright White.

 

[screendoor]

Nice work. Convinced me to give your LED strips a try, Bright White.

Thanks! I will send you a PM.

 

[MastiffDad14]

I'm also interested in purchasing 2 strips and will give my feedback. I did install pfran interior lights and just took my boards off, perfect timing if you ask me.

 

[screendoor]

I'm also interested in purchasing 2 strips and will give my feedback. I did install pfran interior lights and just took my boards off, perfect timing if you ask me.

PM sent. Thanks.

 

[redbirdfan]

Finished pictures first!


I put sliders on my ’01 LX a couple of months ago and mourned the loss of my running board puddle lights (aka courtesy lights). I found a couple of threads detailing replacements and was inspired by the LED strip that @bhicks used. I didn’t want to cut the wire connector off my running board because I am a pansy and found a source for the factory style connectors instead.



I used a 5050 RGB strip at first (overly long video), but I didn’t like the white color that it generated and didn’t have a need to change the color. So I ordered some Warm White and Bright White 5050 LED strip. I put the Warm White LED strip on and absolutely love it (video), though I do miss the fade on/off effect.

I used a meter of LED strip and stuck it along my frame rail. I cut the LED strip in to two sections (27.25" and 11.5") and soldered/heat shrinked in some wire to be able to extend the shorter strip to provide light for the passenger door area (had to jump over some bits that are on the frame rail). And put a few zipties around everything just in case.




My brother swapped all of his LX bulbs out with the Bright White interior PFRAN LEDs and he still has his running boards on, so I made him a Y adapter that he could use to easily add a matching Bright White strip to his existing running board puddle lights. He hasn't had a chance to put them on, so I don't have any pictures yet (I should just put a Bright White strip next to my Warm White strip to compare them).


I am happy with how it turned out - I get the puddle lights back and they are much much brighter than the running board lights. Let me know if you have any questions about how I put the connectors or LED strip together.

I have extra connectors (minimum order quantity from China was 100 connectors...) and extra LED strip and might offer them for sale if there is interest, but I want to test the long term durability of the strip first. If anyone wants to try them out at a discount ($13 per LED strip with connector included, plus shipping) and give me feedback, please let me know.

I just sent you an email about getting a set for my LX since I took off the stock running boards and installed OPOR rock sliders.

Love what you did here! ~Ted

 

[bamabrock]

Got mine the other day. I'll try to get them wired up and installed this weekend.

 

[68W65D]

PM sent. Very interested.

 

[taco47001]

I bought a set and the quality and craftsmanship are great! What I failed to consider is that I spray my undercarriage with fluid film annually at the least. I don't think the self adhesive backing is going to work out for me very long. I don't want to thread jack but I'd like offer up the set I bought for sale. Un-installed, still in envelope. Interested, PM me.

 

[mogili222]

I too bought a set and trying to install it this weekend realized that my contacts on the vehicle have corroded completely as they were left open for a few years.

So decided I will not use these now. If somebody is looking for a pair, PM me and we can work something out..

cheers.

 

[BEG]

I wanted to follow up on this thread and post my experience with the installation and function. Installation couldn't be easier. I decided where on the frame rail I wanted them (not too many choices), thoroughly cleaned and degreased the frame rail, peeled the backing and stuck the strips on. The PO had removed the original lights (not the running boards though) but had thankfully left the male plugs in place to protect the female plug from crud. I still hit them with some electrical contact cleaner and some dielectric grease just in case. They work as expected and go on and off with the dome lights.

The 3M adhesive seems to stick very well. No sign of peeling, though the ends are susceptible to peeling if they're not secured somehow. I think I'll probably spray over the whole thing with some clear enamel in the future to seal the edges so I can go over it with fluid film or gear oil as a rust preventative.

Overall, I'm very happy with the install.

 

[screendoor]

I too bought a set and trying to install it this weekend realized that my contacts on the vehicle have corroded completely as they were left open for a few years.

So decided I will not use these now. If somebody is looking for a pair, PM me and we can work something out..

cheers.

Just a suggestion, you could cut the connectors off and hard wire them in.

 

[screendoor]

I wanted to follow up on this thread and post my experience with the installation and function. Installation couldn't be easier. I decided where on the frame rail I wanted them (not too many choices), thoroughly cleaned and degreased the frame rail, peeled the backing and stuck the strips on. The PO had removed the original lights (not the running boards though) but had thankfully left the male plugs in place to protect the female plug from crud. I still hit them with some electrical contact cleaner and some dielectric grease just in case. They work as expected and go on and off with the dome lights.

The 3M adhesive seems to stick very well. No sign of peeling, though the ends are susceptible to peeling if they're not secured somehow. I think I'll probably spray over the whole thing with some clear enamel in the future to seal the edges so I can go over it with fluid film or gear oil as a rust preventative.

Overall, I'm very happy with the install.

Thanks for the report!

I have ziptied the front and ends of my strips because I was worried about the same thing. We have had a bunch of rain this spring and I haven't noticed any peeling of the LED strip.

 

[BnvS]

Thanks for the report!

I have ziptied the front and ends of my strips because I was worried about the same thing. We have had a bunch of rain this spring and I haven't noticed any peeling of the LED strip.

OP can you let us know what is the Connector called? I am sure you can buy them in pairs or so on Aliexpress or DHGate. In fact, I am willing to bet its a normal automobile connector used by lots of auto vendors and not just a toyota part.

Also I have a LC. I'll check under my LC and see if I can find a similar connector. Hopefully with some luck and due to economies mass production of these wiring's i'll find a similar connector on the LC. Will report back.

 

[CreasyBear]

Installed mine in time to go camping this weekend. Love em!! Thank you!

 

[screendoor]

I had a request for Yellow LED strip (instead of Bright White or Warm White) and wanted to share a picture of what it looks like installed.

 

[mgoblue]

Just a suggestion, you could cut the connectors off and hard wire them in.

I just found that my connectors are a bit corroded as well. Do you sell the connector that is wired to the body?

 

[screendoor]

I just found that my connectors are a bit corroded as well. Do you sell the connector that is wired to the body?

Yep, I have the female connectors as well. I will send you a PM. Thanks